MACE / FlashZap

[sjxts3000]

So I'm getting a warranty replacement for an APX7000XE stuck in FlashZap, but exactly HOW does one "unstick" a radio such as this from this cyclical "UPDATING SEC HW" message in bootstrap? (I'm guessing it's because there's "Hardware Multikey Encryption" in the flashcode, but there's no Encryption Module in the radio?

I'm guessing it requires the elusive APX CPS Depot tool?

[rc50won]

Ah but every 7000 has the MACE chip. The option package determines if you use it or not.

Marshall

[Bigfella237]

APX radios do firmware updates differently to their predecessors; with the older platforms your PC wrote the updates directly to the radio whereas APX radios copy the new firmware from the PC to the radio, verify that the data is good (well, the data integrity anyway), then apply the updates internally.

This is much safer as it now doesn't matter if the PC crashes halfway through, or the cable gets unplugged, or the radio battery dies etc., you just start the file upload again and the radio remains operational (in theory).

Sorry if this is a silly question but how long did you give it to complete the secure update and which versions were you going from and to?

Andrew

[sjxts3000]

Yep, I waited a long time... like more than 10 minutes... it kept saying "UPDATING SEC HW" then after a minute, would reboot... same thing. I let it go at least a dozen times.

I think the issue was the vendor/dealer who sold it to me removed the Encryption board (which I didn't mind...I don't need encryption) and forgot to remove that from the Flashcode...so the firmware update was looking to update the encryption board (which was non-existent). At least I think that's what happened! Anyway, I sent it back for warranty repair or replacement. He'll try to correct it and if not, he'll replace it.

[MTS2000des]

APX radios don't have "encryption boards" to remove that I am aware of, they have a MACE processor on the VOCON, and the encryption type is determined by the flash.

So, it sounds like the "dealer" was dicking with depot and screwed something up.

[tvsjr]

Or it's an early dev/ALT radio that doesn't have a MACE in it. This is a known issue with those radios.

[rc50won]

True but he did say hat he was getting a warranty replacement. Can't imagine they would replace one of the early radios.

M

[SSE5000ASTRO]

Or it's an early dev/ALT radio that doesn't have a MACE in it. This is a known issue with those radios.

you are right! the key is he got a DEMO board w/o MACE chip!